No More upgrades to ARC LS25 Mk.1?

JMC:

My bad regarding front and rear panels. That's not it.

Of course I want to improve the performance of the LS25. But, I think the jury is out as to whether the Mk.1 with new 6922's from upscale audio is better or the Mk.2 with the JFET/6H30 is better.

Edwyun: So now are you asking now which is better Mk1 or Mk2?
There are tons of threads on this...
Mk1 Warmer top, and a more classic ARC sound

Mk2 Better Bass, more solid state sounding compared to the Mk1 but also slightly more detailed, but some feel it's missing some of the magic of the MK1

Then you will have the third group that feels the ARC LS5 MIII it the best of both worlds...

My feeling is which one is going to have the best synergy with your system. Determining what you feel is lacking and what you want to improve or change will be the real question.

Search the archives for tons of comparisons.

I have been dissappointed (value and quality of tubes) in upscales tubes in the past... there are plenty of threads suggesting other tube sources.

Well spoken Cytocycle. Many threads here and at AA discussing the differences between 6922 tube vs. 6H30 tube. From what I've read, there is no clear cut winner, only a myriad of opinions.

Cheers,
John

Yes. I understand about the nuances between the Mk.1 and Mk.2. I just wish I had a Mk.2 to use in my current system.

If I were to tell you the Mk.1 is hooked up to a Threshold SA/4e and B&W 802's, would that change anyone's recommendations?

Guess the only real way to tell is to listen!

I would keep your Mk1 to tame the tweeter, buy a JL Audio Fathom Sub F113/F112 since your 802's don't do 20hz bass anyway...) and dial in the bass, speaker placement and finally some room treatment(which will make a bigger difference than the more transparent Mk2)... oh yeah are you using balanced cables since your threshold is fully balanced? and do you have dedicated 20amp circuits to feed the threshold's!

Once again what do you want to improve about your system???? what do you not like?

You can buy a Mk2 and if you don't like it turn it for what you paid or a little less.... otherwise if you like the ARC sound, get an LS26